A free tutoring program that started by a widow five years ago in a Kentucky Baptist church continues to flourish in the community.
June Pugh was a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church Flemingsburg, and she said God spoke to her during a sermon from the book of Hebrew.
“He said that God has a special task for each of His children. It was during this time that I asked God what I needed to do as I had just lost my spouse and was looking for a mission project while trying to put my life back in order.”
She felt the tug to do something different not just for children in the church but in the community.
‘Never looked back’
“I believed God directing me toward doing something different from teaching Sunday School, something that could be offered to all young children in the community whether they were in church or not,” Pugh said. “Perhaps an opportunity for them to get caught up with their homework as COVID had just ended and many people were concerned how children would get back to their age level of learning. Tutor Time came to mind, and I have never looked back.”
With some early success at Tutor Time a friend of Pugh’s suggested she bring it before the church at the next business meeting. She nervously read her proposal to the church family and it was unanimously accepted as a ministry. The tutoring program could take place in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
Pugh enlisted a neighbor, Janice Vice, who was a retired teacher to join her.
“She is a great Christian friend and has a heart for teaching young children. She also believed that God could use her to help with the tutoring as well. She quickly agreed and together we began the many tasks, and she began talking to some retired teachers about volunteering and I started talking to retired church members. It was a wonderful time, and many volunteers agreed to help. Plans were made to start in the fall.”
Keeping the program afloat
Tutor Time is a free tutoring program and volunteers serve without pay and have been faithful. Love offerings keep the program afloat, Pugh said. Students are first served a snack as they arrive and a devotion is given, followed by Bible verses, etc. Sometimes a patriotic message is given. Tutoring is from 4 to 5 p.m. when the students are picked up by their families.
The program’s fifth year will begin in the fall. The dedication of volunteers and improved student test scores underscores the program’s success.
“The students seem to enjoy and appreciate the effort exuded by the volunteers,” Pugh said. “Not only has it helped students improve academically, but volunteers found new relationships and look forward to working with the program.”
Pugh said the program has “blessed my soul” as she teaches children from all walks of life who come through FBC Flemingsburg.
Dose of the gospel
They also get a dose of the gospel along with the school lessons.
“They are loved and welcomed and have an opportunity to learn about Jesus and get help with their lessons,” she said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mark Maynard and originally published by Kentucky Today.
